Step-by-step partition strip feeding mechanism



Feb. 14, 1967 D. F. CUNNINGHAM STEP-BY-STEP PARTITION STRIP FEEDING MECHANISM Filed July 20, 1964 4' Sheets-Sheet 1 /I\/\/ENTOR.' I DONALD F. CUNNINGHAM,

Feb. 14, 1967 D. F. CUNNINGHAM 3,304,082

STEP-BYSTEP PARTITION STRIP FEEDING MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 20, 1964 lllllllll- Feb. 14, 1967 D. F. CUNNINGHAM 3,304,082

STEP-BY-STEP PARTITION STRIP FEEDING MECHANISM Filed July 20, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOP ATTOQNE/ DOA/m0 E CUNN/NGHAH, BY $445k Feb. 14, 1967 D. F. CUNNINGHAM 3,304,082

STEP-BY-STEP PARTITION STRIP FEEDING MECHANISM Filed July 20, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 /87 use,

QTY 752" "@7 MMn/mz:

f 0o MALL) 1-1 CUNNINGHAM) United States Patent Office 3,384,082 Patented Feb. 14, 1967 3,304,082 STEP-BY=STEP PARTITION STRIP FEEDING MECHANISM Donald F. Cunningham, Milwaukee, Wis., assignor to 11.5. Partition 8; Packaging Corporation, Milwaukee,

Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Filed July 20, 1964, Ser. No. 383,680 7 Claims. (Cl. 271-42) The present invention relates generally to the partition assembly machine art, and more particularly to novel mechanism for feeding aligned partition strips in a stepby-step movement into and through the assembly zone of a partition assembling machine.

There has long existed the need in the partition assembly art for a rugged accurate step-by-step partition strip feeding mechanism. A number of step-by-step partition strip feeding mechanisms have been devised and tried over the past many years. Units initially considered the answer to the long existing problem have been discarded. In fact, some years ago, invention turned to operating mechanism which advance precut partition strips or continuous strips in a continuous movement, machines incorporating such structure being in use today. Until the present mechanism of the applicant, the long existing need remained unfilled.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a novel step-by-step partition strip feeding mechanism which successively satisfies the aforesaid long felt need.

In brief, the present novel feeder mechanism, which is adapted to be integrated as part of a partition assembling machine, comprises adjustably mounted stationary partition strip guide assemblies, a partition strip feeding assembly adjustably mounted adjacent each guide assembly for cooperation therewith, reciprocatable structure mounting said feeding assemblies for simultaneous reciprocating movement to feed partition strips in step-bystep manner into and through an assembly zone, and ele-' ments for applying power to reciprocate said structure.

Hence, another object of the present invention is to provide a novel step-by-step feeder mechanism for partition assembling machines which effectively moves partition strips into and through the assembly zone of an assembling machine.

Other objects are to provide a novel step-by-step feeder mechanism for partition assembling machines which firmly and consistently moves partition strips forwardly without backup as the reciprocating parts move rearwardly, which is multiadjustable in respect to its several major components permitting feeding of a wide range of partition strip sizes, whose component parts can be adjusted readily and quickly thereby reducing downtime to a minimum, which is very sturdy thereby giving long service, and which otherwise fulfills the objects and advantages sought therefor.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages are apparent from the following description taken with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of the delivery or feeding end portion of a partition strip feeder indicated as disposed adjacent to the receiving end of an assembler indicated in broken lines (Sheet 1);

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of the feeder and assembler of FIGURE 1, the latter being fragmentarily shown in full lines and including partition strip feeder mechanism incorporating the principles of the present invention (Sheet 1);

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged left side elevational view of the assembler, parts being broken away, in association with a fragmentary portion of the feeder (Sheet 2);

FIGURE 4 is a broken partition strip feeder in end elevational view of the assembler, parts being broken away for illustration (Sheet 3);

FIGURE 5 is a further enlarged view of a portion of FIGURE 4, particularly illustrating the present novel feeder mechanism and its supporting means (Sheet 2) FIGURE 6 is an enlarged sectional plan view of the left end portion of the carriage (Sheet 2);

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the carriage in a rightwardly moved position (Sheet 2);

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged side elevational view of the upper portion of the partition strip feeder mechanism (Sheet 3);

FIGURE 9 is a vertical transverse cross-sectional view taken on substantially the line 9-9 of FIGURE 8 (Sheet 3);

FIGURE 10 is a vertical transverse cross-sectional view taken on substantially the line 10-10 of FIGURE 8 (Sheet 3);

FIGURE 11 is a further enlarged horizontal cross-sectional view taken on substantially the line 11-11 of FIGURE 8 (Sheet 3);

FIGURE 12 is a further enlarged horizontal cross-sectional view taken on substantially the line 12-12 of FIGURE 8 (Sheet 3);

FIGURE 13 is a further enlarged horizontal cross-sectional view taken on substantially the line 13-13 of FIGURE 8 (Sheet 3);

FIGURE 14 is a further enlarged vertical, longitudinal cross-sectional view taken substantially on the line 14- 14 of FIGURE 4 (Sheet 4);

FIGURE 15 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken substantially on the line 15-15 of FIGURE 14 (Sheet 4);

FIGURE 16 is a further enlarged vertical transverse cross-sectional view taken substantially on the line 16- 16 of FIGURE 14 (Sheet 4) FIGURE 17 is a top plan view of the guide plate of the feeder mechanism (Sheet 4);

FIGURE 18 is a side elevational view thereof (Sheet FIGURE 19 is a vertical transverse cross-sectional view taken substantially on the line 19-19 of FIGURE 18 (Sheet 4);

FIGURE 20 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken substantially on the line 20-20 of FIGURE 18 (Sheet FIGURE 21 is a half elevational and half vertical cross-sectional view of one of the two reciprocating links (Sheet 4);

FIGURE 22 is a vertical transverse cross-sectional view taken substantially on the line 22-22 of FIGURE 21 (Sheet 4);

FIGURE 23 is a top plan view of one of the two roller frames (Sheet 4);

FIGURE 24 is a side view thereof (Sheet 4 FIGURE 25 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken substantially on the line 25-25 of FIGURE 24, a mounting plate being added in dotted lines (Sheet 4);

FIGURE 26 is an enlarged view, part in end elevation and part in vertical transverse cross section of the left carriage structure as viewed in FIGURE 4 (Sheet 1);

FIGURE 27 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view of the roller mounting appearing in dotted lines in FIGURE 26 (Sheet 1);

FIGURE 28 is an enlarged view, part in end elevation and part in vertical transverse cross section, of the right carriage structure as viewed in FIGURE 4 (Sheet 1);

FIGURE 29 is a top plan view of the feeder finger, its base and associated structure (Sheet 1);

FIGURE 30 is a side elevational view thereof (Sheet FIGURE 31 is a horizonal cross-sectional view substantially on the line 3131 of FIGURE (Sheet 1); and

FIGURE 32 is a horizontal cross-sectional view substantially on the line 3232 of FIGURE 30 (Sheet 1).

Referring to the drawings more particularly by reference numerals, 35 indicates generally a partition strip feeder mechanism built to include teachings of the present invention (FIGS. 2-4 and 14). The feeder mechanism 35 is integrated with and is a part of a partition assembling machine 34, fragments and selected elements only being illustrated and described, since such machines are well known in the art. Broadly, the feeder mechanism 35 includes a plurality of partition strip guide assemblies 36 mounted on the machine 34 for multiple adjustments in respect thereto, a plurality of reciprocatable partition strip feeding assemblies 37 also mounted for multiple ad justments in respect to the machine 34, there being a feeding assembly 37 for each guide assembly 36, two laterally spaced carriage units 38 for supporting and reciprocating said feeding assemblies 37, a supporting frame 39 for each carriage unit 38, power means for reciprocating the carriage units 38, and interconnecting interrelating units, elements and parts.

The assembling machine 34 fragmentarily disclosed herein is of the type shown in the Vail et a1. Patent No. 2,163,923, and includes a supporting frame of box form having heavy side panels 46 and 47 which support the present feeder mechanism 35 and a major portion of the powered moving elements for actuating the recprocatable partition strip feeding assemblies 37 and the reciprocating cut-off knife and punches of the machine 34.

A plurality of partition strip guide assemblies 36 is provided, since normally two or more spaced, aligned partition strips 50 are simultaneously moved into the assembling machine 34 for reception of transversely disposed partition strips. Since the guide assemblies 36 are identical, only one need be and is described. Each assembly 36 includes a vertically disposed elongated plate 51 which is of the cross section clearly shown in FIGURES 8, 12, 13, 14, 18 and 20. The plate 51 includes a V leading edge 52, a notch 53 in the trailing edge, and a longitudinally extending channel 54 in one side having a leading wall 55 at an angle. A mounting bracket 58 of the configuration clearly shown in FIGURES 8, 10, 13 and 14 releasably engages the plate 51 intermediate the ends for vertically adjustable support thereof. The bracket 58 includes releasable clamping jaws 59, the bottom one of which is movable towards and away from the top one by an Allen screw, which engage a transversely disposed bar 60 for adjustable positioning therealong, said bar 60 being secured to the front edge of a transversely disposed beam 61. The beam 61 is secured at each end to one flange of an angle bracket 62 by suitable cap screws, the other flange of the angle bracket 62 having slots and being adjustably secured by cap screws therethrough to an arm 63 of a bracket 64 secured by suitable screws to a frame corner post 65 of the assembling machine 34 (FIGS. 4, 14 and 16). A ridge 67 at each end of the beam v61 engages a slot 68 in the respective arm 63 to insure parallel adjusting movement of the beam 61 and therethrough of the guide assemblies 36.

As is clear from FIGURES 8 and 13, the bracket 58 includes a longitudinally extending body portion 70 to the free end of which is connected a cap member 71 by means of Allen screws 72. It will be noted that the body portion 70 is notched at 73 and 74 to receive the longitudinal notch 53 of the plate 51 and the rear bevelled edge 75 of a plate 76, respectively. The cap member 71 includes generally V-shaped channels 78 and 79 which engage the V leading edge 52 of the plate 51 and a V leading edge 80 of the plate 76, respectively. It is manifest that the bracket 58 supports the plates 51 and 76 in spaced parallel relationship and that the plates 51 and 76 can be raised or lowered independently in respect to the position of the bracket 58 on the bar 60 after loosening the Allen screws 72.

A transversely extending window or opening 83 is cut out of or formed as a part of the plate 76 adjacent the upper edge thereof in which is pivotally mounted a stiff leaf spring 84 on a vertically disposed pin 85 which is held against the outer face of the plate 76 in shallow aligned groove segments above and below the window 83 by upper and lower small block elements 86 welded against the outer face of the plate 76 (FIGS. 8 and 13). The spring 84 is looped around the pin 85 and has a small block element 88 welded to the short end thereof adjacent the pin '85. A setscrew 89 is threadedly mounted in a block element 90 welded to the outer face of the plate 76 and engages the block element 88 thereby biasing the leaf spring 84 into engagement with the inner face of the plate 51 and therefore against partition strips 50 when passing between the plates 51 and 76. The setscrew 89 provides for adjusting the effective pressure of the leaf spring 84.

With particular reference to FIGURES 8 and 12, a feeder finger slide unit is mounted on the plate 51 near the top thereof and includes a feeder finger engaging plate strip 96 which includes an angularly disposed flange 97 at one end engaging in the notch 53 of the plate 51. The plate strip 96 is welded to a backing strip 98 having a hook portion 99 at one end engaging the angularly leading wall 55 of the channel 54 in the plate 51 and a block portion 100 at the other end having a threaded bore therethrough receiving a setscrew 101. A block 102 is disposed between the plate strip 96 and the backing strip 98 which has a shallow smooth wall receiving the inner end of the setscrew 101. It is apparent that upon loosening of the setscrew 101, the unit 95 may be moved upwardly and downwardly on the plate 51, and that the unit 95 is maintained-in selected position upon tightening of the setscrew 101.

Welded to the top of the plate 51 is a partition strip guide 105 of inverted U-cross section which is flared at the partition strip receiving end 106 (FIG. 17) and which decreases in height from the end 106 rearwardly (FIGS. 8-10, 14, and 17-19). An integral returned flange 107 is formed along one side of the guide 105, which includes an elongated opening 108 in the horizontal portion thereof. A backstop finger mounting .block 110 is mounted in the flange 107 and is of the configuration clearmly shown in FIGURES 8, 9 and 10. The block 110 is adjustable along the flange 107 by means of a threaded member 111 extending through a threaded bore in the block 110, the member 111 being mounted at one end in a split bracket 112. A bottom Allen screw 113 secures the bracket 112 to the flange 107 and a top Allen screw 114 clamps the split elements of the bracket 112 about the end of the threaded member 111. A nut 115 is soldered to the threaded member 111 to prevent movement to the right of the member 111, viewing FIGURE 8. Extending upwardly into the block 110 through the opening 108 is a headed screw 117 on which is pivotally mounted a backstop finger 118 of the configuration clearly shown in FIGURES 8 and 11. The backstop finger 118 has a free sharp edge 119 which is adapted to engage cutout portions of partition strips 50 to prevent backup. The backstop finger 118 is biased into the operative position of FIGURE 11 by compression spring 120 mounted in suitable wells in the backstop finger 118 and the inner face of a skirt portion 121 of the block 110. It is clear that the block 110 and its supported backstop finger 118 may be moved to any desired position along the flange 107 by rotation of the threaded member 111 after loosening of the screw 114.

Each reciprocatable partition strip feeding assembly 37 includes a vertical disposed main post having a longitudinal channel 131 having inwardly diverging side: walls, and a secondary post 132 of the cross section. clearly shown in FIGURE 32 telescopically mounted in said channel 131 (FIGS. 5, 14 and 2932). Formed integral with or welded to the bottom of the main post is one element 133 of a mounting clamping bracket 134 of the form clearly shown in FIGURES 5, 7 and 14. A second movable member 135 is removably secured to the member 134 by an Allen screw 136. Formed integral with or welded to the top of the post 132 is a mounting block 138 on the top of which is pivotally mounted a partition strip feed finger 139 by means of a suitable headed screw 140. The feeder finger 139 is of the configuration clearly illustrated in FIGURES 29-31 and includes a carbide tip portion 141, preferably silver soldered to the main part thereof. The feeder finger 139 is biased into the position of FIGURE 29 by means of a compression spring 142 disposed in a suitable well in the finger 139 and engaging a stop element 143 secured to the block 138 by a suitable screw. The feeder finger 139 includes a wing portion 144 which depends below the block 138 and engages a portion thereof to limit pivotal movement of the finger 139 clockwise, viewing FIGURE 29. It will be understood that the operating position of the feeder finger 139 in respect to the plate strip 96 of the feeder finger slide unit 95 is such that the tip 141 engages the plate strip 96 under bias of the spring 142. This will insure firm, positive feeding of partition strips 50.

A supporting frame 39 is secured to the inner face of each of the panels 46 and 47 through the medium of an elongated mounting plate and suitable bolts 151, each plate 150 being secured to its respective supporting frame 39 by suitable bolts (FIGS. 3, 4, 6, 7, 14, 23-28). The supporting frame 39 includes a main body 152 of the configuration clearly shown in FIGURES 2325, including spaced annular apertures 153 and two spaced elongated apertures 154. A threaded headed stub shaft 156 is mounted in each opening 153, being retained by a suitable nut 157, and supports a roller 158 for free rotation thereon (FIGS. 14, 26 and 28). The rollers 158 may be provided with roller or ball bearings if desired. Mounted within each opening 154 by means of a suitable screw 160 is a roller 161 (FIG. 27).

Each carriage unit 38 includes a heavy elongated edgewise disposed base plate 165 to the top and bottom edges of which is secured a plate 166 by welding, screws, or otherwise (FIGS. 3, 4, 6, 7, 14, 26 and 28). Along the outer face of the base plate 165 is a narrow wear plate 167 which is in position to be engaged by the rollers 161. Spaced, heavy tie bars 168 are secured between and to the base plate 165 by Allen screws 169. It will be noted from FIGURES 7, 14, 26 and 28 that each carriage unit 38 is mounted between the rollers 158 and the roller 161 of a supporting frame 39. Mounted on the forward ends of the base plates 165 is a heavy transversely disposed bar 172 secured by suitable Allen screws 173 (FIGS. 6 and 7). Welded or otherwise secured to the bar 172 is a supporting bar 174 of the cross section shown in FIGURE 7 which receives the clamping brackets 134 of the feeding assemblies 37.

For reciprocating the carriage units 38 to effect partition strip feeding action of the feeding assemblies 37, there is provided adjacent each carriage unit 38 inwardly thereof a link unit including a double split housing 181 within which are disposed two roller bearing units 182 and 182 (FIGS. 6, 7, 14, 21, 22, 26 and 28). The bearing 182 is retained on a post 183 formed integral with or welded to a small plate 184 secured to the inner face of the base plate 165 by Allen screws 185. A cap screw 186 threaded into the post 183 and a retainer element 187 maintain the bearing 182 on the post 183. The bearing 182' is mounted on a portion of a stub shaft 189, being retained against removal by a screw 190 and retainer 191. Also rotatably mounted upon the stub shaft 189 is one end of a link 192 retained against removal by a nut 193. By reference to FIGURE 4, it will be noted that the two links 192 are clamped at their other ends 194 to a common shaft 195, the ends of shaft 195 being mounted in suitable bearings 196, the left-hand end thereof (FIG. 4) extending outwardly beyond the side panel 46 and receiving a link 197 secured thereto. The free end of the link 197 is connected by means of an arm 198 to an eccentric 200 forming part of the assembling machine 34 (FIGS. 3 and 4). It is to be understood that the eccentric is mounted upon a rotatable shaft to which power is supplied from a suitable source, as from an electric motor, as in the above-mentioned Vail Patent No. 2,163,923. It is palpable that the eccentric 200 effects oscillating movement of the arm 198 and therethrough oscillating movements of the link 197, the shaft 195 and the link 192, therethrough effecting reciprocation of the link units 180, the carriage units 38 and the feeding assemblies 37.

In FIGURES l3, l4 and 15, the partition assembling machine 34 is shown in association with a partition strip feeding mechanism 205 similar to that disclosed in the applicants United States Patent No. 2,984,480. Partition strips 50 fed by the feeding mechanism 205 will be moved to the left, viewing FIGURE 1, on and by a continuous conveyor belt 206 and between guiding vertically spaced pairs of cords 207, the latter being being trained about vertical driven posts 288 at their left extremities. To the left of each post 288 is a stationary post 209 which supports a guide element 219 extending across the platform 211. Opposing guide elements 210 form a passageway to receive the base of a partition strip 50 as it leaves the spaced posts 208, the guide elements 210 extending to positions at each side of the plates 51 and 76 of a guide assembly 36.

It is clear from the foregoing description taken with the accompanying drawings that partition strips 50 will be fed into and through the assembling zone of the assembling machine 34 in step-by-step manner. The illustrated partition strip 50 is typical of such and includes cutouts 215 for reception of the cross partition strips. The tip portion 141 of the feeder finger 139 successively engages in the cutouts 215 and finally the rear edge of the partition strip 50, being actuated in a reciprocating manner as heretofore particularized. The backstop finger 118 meanwhile cooperates to prevent backup of the partition strip 50 under the return movement of the feeder finger 139 by engaging in a cutout 215 as the feeder finger 139 reaches the full extent of its feeding stroke. All parts cooperate in achieving fast, accurate feeding of partition strips 50 into an assembling zone of the machine 34 without loss of a stroke.

It is apparent that there has been provided feeder mechanism for feeding partition strips in step-by-ste-p relation into and through the assembling zone of an assembling machine which fulfills the objects and advantages sought therefor.

It is to be understood that the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings have been given by way of illustration and example. It is also to be understood that changes in form of the elements, rearrangement of parts, and substitution of equivalent elements, which will be obvious to those skilled in the art, are contemplated as within the scope of the present invention which is limited only by the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a step-by-step partition strip feeder mechanism comprising means for guiding a partition strip into an assembly zone, means supporting said guiding means for adjustment vertically, laterally and along the path of travel of a partition strip, means mounted on said guiding means for biasing a partition strip into predetermined position as it is guided into the assembly zone, means mounted on said guiding means for engaging a partition strip to prevent back-up thereof following a forward movement, means for moving a partition strip step-by-step through said guiding means including partition strip engaging means and reciprocatable supporting means for said partition strip engaging means, said partition strip engaging means including a partition strip engaging push finger and a support therefor disposed adjacent said guiding means, said reciprocatable supporting means including a transversely disposed member receiving said finger support for adjustment therealong, a reciprocatable carriage receiving each end of said transversely disposed member, a roller support for each carriage, means for mounting each roller support on a partition strip assembling machine, and means for reciprocating said carriages simultaneously.

2. The combination of claim 1 in which a plurality of guiding means and artition strip engaging means are provided, said plurality of partition strip engaging means being mounted on said transversely disposed member.

3. In combination, mechanism for reciprocating a member for feeding a partition strip in step-by-step manner into and through the assembly zone of a partition assembling machine including a support for said member, a second member disposed transversely of the path of movement of said member supportingly receiving the latter, a reciprocatable carriage supporting each end of said second member, means receiving each carriage for reciprocation therein including friction reducing bearing means, and means operatively connected to said carriages for effecting simultaneously reciprocation thereof.

4. The combination of claim 3 in Which said carriages are constrained by said carriage receiving means to :move in predetermined paths having small tolerances to insure accurate reciprocation of said member.

5. In combination, partition strip feeder mechanism comprising means for guiding a partition strip into and through :an assembly zone, means for moving a partition strip into and through an assembly zone in step-by-step movement disposed adjacent said guiding means for action on a partition strip being guided thereby, means supporting said partition strip moving means for reciprooative movement, means for effecting reciprocation of said supporting means, said partition strip moving means including a one-way solution device adapted to engage a partition strip for movement thereof in one direction, and means for preventing backup of a partition strip following a forward step, said supporting means including a mounting member disposed transversely of the path of travel of a partition strip, a reciprocatable carriage receiving each end of said mounting member, and means supporting each carriage for reciprocative movement.

6. The combination of claim 5 in which each carriage supporting means includes rollers receiving the respective carriage.

7. The combination of claim 5 in which both said partition strip guiding means and said partition strip moving means are independently adjustable to accommodate partition strips of different dimensions.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,523,275 1/1925 Ney 198106 3,002,654 10/1961 Maximoff et a1. 221270 X 3,057,516 10/1962 Gentile et al 221-270 X 3,157,269 11/1964 Winkel et al 198106 X ROBERT B. REEVES, Primary Examiner. 1

STANLEY H. TOLLBERG, Examiner. 

1. IN COMBINATION, A STEP-BY-STEP PARTITION STRIP FEEDER MECHANISM COMPRISING MEANS FOR GUIDING A PARTITION STRIP INTO AN ASSEMBLY ZONE, MEANS SUPPORTING SAID GUIDING MEANS FOR ADJUSTMENT VERTICALLY, LATERALLY AND ALONG THE PATH OF TRAVEL OF A PARTITION STRIP, MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID GUIDING MEANS FOR BIASING A PARTITION STRIP INTO PREDETERMINED POSITION AS IT IS GUIDED INTO THE ASSEMBLY ZONE, MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID GUIDING MEANS FOR ENGAGING A PARTITION STRIP TO PREVENT BACK-UP THEREOF FOLLOWING A FORWARD MOVEMENT, MEANS FOR MOVING A PARTITION STRIP STEP-BY-STEP THROUGH SAID GUIDING MEANS INCLUDING PARTITION STRIP ENGAGING MEANS AND RECIPROCATABLE SUPPORTING MEANS FOR SAID PARTITION STRIP ENGAGING MEANS, SAID PARTITION STRIP ENGAGING MEANS INCLUDING A PARTITION STRIP ENGAGING PUSH FINGER AND A SUPPORT THEREFOR DISPOSED ADJACENT SAID GUIDING 